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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy French ecclesiastical seal matrix of late fourteenth or fifteenth century (c. AD 1350 - c. AD 1500). Length 47.0mm, width 27.3mm and 14.6mm thick. Weight 32.44g.The seal is pointed oval in plan and it is unclear whether the die has been moulded or is cut. The die depicts a canopy with a pointed roof surmounted with a star. The upper parts of the canopy are ornamented with crockets and the lower sides of the canopy appear to be draped with folded curtains. Within the canopy is the head of a Bishop or other religious figure wearing a mitre as headgear and a loose fitting garment around the neck. A separate element below the canopy is in the form of a shield of arms. It has three distinct devices. The upper left device ( as viewing an impression) appears to consist of a canton with a lion passant below, the upper right device is indeterminate and the lower one is possibly a lion, a leopard or a pard (mythical beast). From an impression the inscription reads, from right to left:-Right side: S. C (or G) ∙ MATI ∙ DEO Left side: DESABOLIO*The inscription terminates with a six-pointed star.MATI is possibly an abbreviation for the Christian name, Matthew and DESABOLIO is likely to represent the place-name Sabolium or Sables in the Department of Sarthe, France.On the rear face is a central longitudinal perforated suspension lug which tapers slightly, from the top towards the bottom. At the top it has a width of 3.8mm and the width at the bottom is about 2.3mm. The circular perforation has a diameter of 3.3mm.The lug is roughly D-shaped when viewed from the side. However, the top half is indented by two "steps". At each side of the lug the rear face is convex and is covered in numerous linear score marks. Each side of the lug is similarly scored. These marks are not recent as some of them lie beneath a well developed patina. They may have been created as a result of filing following the casting process of the object.This seal matrix is in good condition and probably had a mid-brown patina overall prior to some cleaning, particularly on the face of the die. The patina is well developed where it has survived cleaning.The find-spot is uncertain although, according to the owner, it was probably found in the Isle of Wight.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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